56 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



as races of one species (S. asio), their differential characters may be ex- 

 pressed as follows : — 



Var. semitorques} A Avell-defined nuchal collar, of mottled pale 

 ochraceous ; jugulum immaculate white centrally. Feathers of the lower 

 parts with their transverse pencilhngs growing fainter towards the middle 

 line, which is unvariegated white, from the central jugular spot to the 

 anal region. Wing, 6.60-7.10; tail, 3.60-3.70; culmen, .60; tarsus, 

 1.25-1.40; middle toe, .80 - .90. (Two specimens.) Hah. Japan. 



Var. kennicotti. No well-defined nuchal band; jugulum closely barred 

 centrally ; feathers of the lower parts with their transverse pencillings not 

 growing fainter toward the middle line, which is unvariegated white only 

 on the abdominal portion ; the medial black streaks to the feathers of the 

 lower surface much broader, and transverse pencillings rather coarser. 

 Wing, 6.90-7.30; tail, 3.50-4.50; culmen, .60 -.65; tarsus, 1.35-1.45; 

 middle toe, .80 - .90. (Three specimens.) Hab. North Pacific coast of 

 North America from Sitka to Washington Territory, and Western Idaho. 



The zoological characters of the different varieties of the Scoj^s asio having 

 been thus indicated, we proceed to consider the species as a whole, and to 

 point oitt the more important features of its habits and history. 



Habits. The common Mottled Owl lias an extended distribution through- 

 out tlie temperate portion of North America. It is also the most numerous 

 of this family wherever found. It does not appear to have been detected in 

 any part of the Arctic regions. Although given on the authority of Fabri- 

 cius as a bird of Greenland, it is not retained in the list of Eeinhardt. It 

 was not met with by Eichardson, nor is any reference made to it in any of 

 the Arctic notes furnished by Mr. MacFarlane or others. It is quite com- 

 mon throughout New England, as well as in the Central, the Western, and 

 some of the Southern States. Mr. Boardman gives it as resident, but not 

 very common, near Calais, where it breeds. It is found near Hamilton, 

 Canada, according to Mcllwraith, but it is not common, although Dr. Hall 

 found it quite numerous in the vicinity of Montreal. Mr. Downes does not 

 mention its occurrence in Nova Scotia. It was found breeding by Dr. Lin- 

 cecum, at Long Point, Texas. It occurs in California, and as Scops henni- 

 cotti as far to the northwest as Sitka. 



The Mottled Owl is nocturnal in its habits, never appearing abroad in 

 the daylight except wlien driven out by the attacks of hostile birds that 

 have discovered it in its retreat. Its eyes cannot endure the light, and it 

 experiences great inconvenience from such an exposure. During the day 

 it hides in hollow trees, in dark recesses in the forests, or in dark corners 

 of barns, and comes out from its retreat just before dark. During the 

 night it utters a very peculiar wailing cry, not unlike the half-whining, 

 half-barking complaints of a young puppy, alternating from high to low, 



1 Scops seinitorques, Sciileoel, Fauna Japouica, t. 8. For the privilege of comparing speci- 

 mens of this bird witli S. kennicotti, I am indebted to the courtesy of the officers of the JSTew 

 York Museum, wlio kindly sent the fine specimen.s of that museum for examination. 



